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n. 1. Protection or shelter, as from danger or hardship: sought refuge from the storm in a cabin. 2. a. A place providing protection or shelter: a colony that was a refuge for religious nonconformists. b. An undeveloped area for the preservation of animals and plants. 3. A source of help, relief, or comfort in times of trouble: "Reva's love was her refuge from shame and degradation" (Richard Wright). See Synonyms at shelter. [Middle English, from Old French, from Latin refugium, from refugere, to run away : re-, re- + fugere, to flee.] |
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